Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

This live action feature pits the crime-fighting, man-sized turtles against Shredder, their arch enemy, who is recruiting hordes of teens to his evil ways. Reporter April O'Neil (Hoag) has been investigating a sudden increase in New York crime, and becomes embroiled in their mission after the pizza freaks save her from a mugging. Jim Henson's Creature Shop has created splendid animatronic characters (including a four-foot talking rat), though extra distinguishing marks between the turtles would be appreciated. Between the dubbed dialogue and the dark visuals, the cumulative effect is curiously dislocating. The big plus for fans, of course, is the boisterous interplay between the four heroes and some engaging slapstick humour; both redeem more functional elements like the love-hate relationship between April and martial arts enthusiast Casey (Koteas).